Abstract:

The primary aim of this study is an environmentally sensitive mountain environment - the Lange and Outeniqua mountains north of Mossel Bay - and the impact that different types of passes have on this mountain environment. These three passes, built in different eras, have different surfaces and are utilised for different purposes. They nevertheless have a marked influence on the environment through which they were built. The aim of this study is to ascertain the type of impact the passes have on the environment and whether the impact of the various passes differs. The environmental impact of the passes is further complicated by the fact that they cross a sensitive mountain environment with unique characteristics. With the above-mentioned in mind, a brief comparison between the three passes were drawn. The Attaquaskloof Pass is the oldest of the three passes and is used exclusively by officials of Cape Nature Conservation and hikers. Both the spacial extent and the intensity of impact are very low in the pass. Restrictions on use unfortunately cause this type of pass not to be a viable alternative for the building of a new pass. Cloetes Pass is a gravel road used mainly by farmers in the Herbertsdale and Van Wyksdorp districts. Here both spacial extent and intensity of impact are much greater. The impacts directly caused by the physical properties of the pass play a large role. The Robinson Pass caused the most damage to and had the largest influence on the environment as far as spacial extent is concerned. Two facts must, however, be stressed here: in the first place the difference between Robinson Pass and Cloetes Pass is small. Secondly, the most important impacts in the Robinson Pass - with the exception of environmental destruction - are all dependent on the road users and can thus be attributed solely to the physical properties of the pass. The challenge when deciding on the type of pass to be built will be to consider the type of impact of every pass on the environment and to try and mitigate the negative impacts of the type of pass decided upon.